Abstract: A hair sample analysis system; said system comprising multiple sample arrays located within a container, an automated drive mechanism for removing an individual array from said container and for urging a. hair sample of said sample array to a first approximate location, and a monitoring and control system, for adjustment of said drive mechanism to locate said hair sample into substantial coincidence with an X-ray diffraction beam; locating said sample in substantial coincidence with said X-ray diffraction beam; irradiating said sample with said beam for a predetermined time; receiving and storing for analysis data derived from said step of irradiating said hair sample; repeating said steps for a consecutive one of said hair 5 samples from said sample array; returning said sample array to its original location in said container and removing another array from said sample container and repeating said steps for consecutive arrays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods to identify one or more conditions in a subject. In particular, it relates to methods of identifying a condition such as cancer, which changes a lipid profile in a keratin-containing component of a subject, the changes to the lipid profile being determined by techniques such as chromatography and mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A method for detecting a presence of an abnormal component in a keratin sample taken from a subject suffering from a pathological state comprising the steps of exposing the keratin sample to a swelling substance so as to penetrate the keratin sample thereby producing a derived chemical substance; obtaining data from the derived chemical substance; comparing the data obtained from the derived chemical substance with a second group of data contained in a reference database so as to identify the presence of the abnormal component in the keratin sample; whereby detection of the abnormal component is consistent with a presence of the pathological state in the subject.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a keratin sample from a subject to improve sensitivity and specificity of a diagnostic test for a pathological state in the subject by exposing the keratin sample to incident energy derived from an energy source; receiving radiated energy from the keratin sample consequent upon impingement of the incident energy on the keratin sample; passing at least a portion of the radiated energy received from the keratin sample through a transducer so as to derive subject specific data; processing subject specific derived data; comparing the processed subject specific data thus derived with a second group of reference data present in a reference database; wherein the second group of reference data is consistent with a presence of the pathological state in the subject; and including the steps of applying an appropriate algorithm to said subject specific data prior to said step of comparing thereby to improve sensitivity and specificity relative to said reference data.